via: PetaPixel

As DSLR sales continue to plummet, reports out of Japan are that Canon is developing a Mirrorless-to-DSLR ‘Converter’ for the EOS R mirrorless cameras.

A report published in Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, suggests Canon is working on some sort of converter that can transform a mirrorless camera into a DSLR:

“We are also developing a converter that can join a mirrorless camera to an interchangeable lens for a single lens reflex camera.”

While this could describe an EF-R lens adapter, those already exist. Canon Rumors points out that Canon filed a patent in January of 2018 for a mirror-box/mount/OVF attachment that might attach to a mirrorless camera.

I’m not sure of the value of such a device unless Canon’s plan is to eventually get rid of their DSLR lineup without totally abandoning that user base.

And then there were three…

Sony led. Canon and Nikon followed.

The great news for Sony shooters is now that Canon and Nikon have officially embraced fullframe mirrorless as the future – the competition is on.

Where Canon EOS R & Nikon Z Hit:

Fast AF

Canon EOS R claims the World’s fastest autofocus with over 5.000 AF points! That’s a LOT!

Fast Glass

Nikon grabbed the headlines with their $6,000 manual focus 50mm F0.95 lens – but you could buy both Canon’s $2,300 50mm F1.2 and $3,000 28-70mm F2 for $700 less…and get AF…

F1.8 Lenses

Both Canon and Nikon will release a 35mm F1.8, which hits the sweet spot many Sony users have requested. The exceptional FE 85mm F1.8 is the biggest bargain of the Sony lens line-up. Can we please get a FE 35mm F1.8?

Nikon Z Built-in 8K Intervalometer

Love this and really hope it appears in future Sony Cameras! Now that Sony dumped their camera apps – just build the Intervalometer into the camera and be done with it!

10 bit 4:2:2 output to External Recorder

Both Canon EOS R & Nikon Z feature 10 bit 4:2:2 video output to External Recorder

Multiple Aspect Ratios

Adding 1:1 and 4:3 Aspect Ratios to Sony a7 Series has long been near the top of my Wish List – hope this is another nudge in that direction.

Canon Drop-In Filter Mount Adapter EF-EOS R

This is really cool. Sony could use an LA-EA3 with a drop-in filter holder.

Where Canon EOS R & Nikon Z Missed:

No Eye AF – or Limited Eye AF

Eye AF is a godsend if you shoot people. Nikon Z doesn’t have it. EOS R has limited Eye AF but with AF-S which is not nearly as useful as AF-C Eye AF.

Crappy Battery Life

Canon EOS R and Nikon Z batteries seem to be clones of the much-maligned Sony W battery used in a7 Series Mark I & II cameras – rather than the much improved Sony NP-FZ100 Lithium-Ion Battery used in a9 and a7 Mark III cameras.

Single Card Slots

Canon EOS R and Nikon Z somehow missed the memo that pros want two card slots! Once again this feels more like a Mark II clone than a Mark III competitor.

Buffer Size

Sony a7 Mark III have a MUCH larger buffer than Nikon Z (not sure yet about Canon EOS R.)

Compromised Continuous FPS

Sony a7 III/ a7R III allow full AF/AE up to top 10FPS frame rates – Canon EOS R and Nikon Z only offer full functions at 3 FPS and 5.5 FPS respectively.

No IBIS on Canon EOS R

Canon EOS R relies upon lenses to provide image stabilization yet it’s missing on their 28-70mm F2 and their RF primes. This also mean no image stabilization for a wide range of adapted lenses like Leica glass or even Canon FD.

4K Video on Canon EOS R Requires 1.8x Crop

While Sony offers 4K from the full width of the sensor, Canon EOS-R 4K recording requires a MASSIVE 1.8x Crop – just like Canon 5D IV.

Closed Lens Mount

One of the best things Sony did was to open E-mount to third-parties. Nikon Z and Canon EOS R are not open which means all third-party lenses and adapter will have to be reverse-engineered.

Limited Native Lens Line-up

Canon & Nikon spotted Sony a five year head start during which Sony has built an impressive line-up of 30 lenses. Canon & Nikon have a LOT of catching up to do. Don’t expect Sony to let off the gas…

No compatibility with EOS-M or Nikon 1 lenses

While Canon EOS R offers EF/EF-S lenses adapters with and Nikon Z has adapter providing AF with certain F-mount lenses – both slammed the door on their previous mirrorless lens lines.

What Do You Like/Hate?

I want to hear from you. Leave your likes and dislikes in the comments…